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RUNEPEBBLEVOL. 2010 , ISSUE 1

VANIR

Celebrating the

And Passionate Living

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Vanir Vic opens the door and greets her readers at the threshold of this

months edition of the RunePebble. Hello! Hello! she says, Come in. Please make

yourselves comfortable. To start, there are heart shaped cookies on the table. Help

yourself. Ill take your coats. Have a seat. she says with a smile. She retreats with thecoats and returns carrying a favorite libation. As she pours the drinks, she begins to

speak to the nature of this edition.. In Asatru, we often say We Are Our Deeds. This

is a fundamental cornerstone of our faith. However, I ask you to stop for a moment and

pause to consider what propels us towards our actions.

This edition is dedicated to the Spirit of the Vanir and the vital role the

heart plays in embracing our faith. This month I am pleased to share with you somefine examples of how the passion of our faith manifests in the lives of our folk.

Each of our contributors celebrates and expresses our beliefs in a way

that is personal and heartfelt. Featured on page 3 and 4, the Erwin family shares with

us some of their ritual work.

On Pages 5 and 6, I am pleased to provide you with a lesson on the Runes

submitted by Aluric Sneyd. He created this many years ago to help his own daughters

rune studies. I asked Aluric what it was that initially drove him to create this. He re-sponded, There's also an urge to pass on the knowledge and wisdom bequeathed to us

by our ancestors, in a line back to the gods ThemSelves. Study of the runes and the as-

sociated Lore ennobles one's soul, making one a bigger and better person, of greater

use to the Folk.

This months edition also marks an important shift in RunePebble content.

I am happy to introduce Anthony Lombardi to our ranks. Anthony offers us something

outside of lore and ritual. He is a huge supporter of the AFAs Hammer Project and hewill be providing our readers with insight as how our faith effects us on a national level

by examining this topic which is critical to our community at large.

I have also taken a moment to provide you with a long overdo self intro-

duction. As well as an assortment of activities to tie the material together for our

younger readers. I hope you enjoy it!

HAIL THE GODS! HAIL THE ANCESTORS! HAIL THE FOLK!

HAIL AND WELCOME!

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The Erwin Family occasionally utilizes period dress in their ritual work.

Mike Erwin explains why by saying, We do this yearly and encourage eve-

ryone to wear something that their ancestors may have worn as a way to

connect with them spiritually. This also helps us to understand how much

differently they lived and how hard their lives could be compared to ours..

SHAPING OUR YOUNG TO BE VIRTUOUS AND KNOWLEDGEABLE HEATHEN

THE ERWIN FAMILYS

ODIN BLOT

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KIDS EYE VIEW

The Erwin family also recently held a Feast of Ullr. Erik Erwin provided

us with a picture he drew of the occasion. He says the picture is of us

standing together and asking the gods to bless our food.

HAIL ULLR!

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Fehuis gold and cattle. If a man has a lot of cows, and his neighbors

don't have any, he can share, and they'll like him, and might make him

king. If he's stingy and won't share, they might run him out of town.

Uruza big wild ox. If you want to hunt the ox, you have to be strong and

smart. You have to think like the ox and trap him, or he might kill you.

Thurisaz is like when you're sick. If you have a fever, you have to eat

right and concentrate on getting better.

Ansuz is the teacher's voice. You may not want to listen, but it's proba-

bly telling you things you need to know.

Raidho is the riding a horse rune. You have to stay in the saddle and

get into the rhythm or you'll fall off and get hurt.

Kenaz is building a fire. It makes light, you can cook on it, it scares off

wild stuff, but you have to be careful, or it will burn you.

Gebois about gifts and being nice. If somebody comes over, you should

make them feel welcome. Be careful though-you don't want to make

them feel bad or beholden if they can't give back as much as you givethem.

Wunjo is when you feel really good and happy. It's nice to share your

good mood with your friends, but you need to learn to be happy by your-

self.

Hagalazis hard times and feeling bad. You have to remember the hard

times are made to make you strong.

Nauthizis needing something. If you're cold, you build a fire. If you're

hungry, you make something to eat.

Isa is being alone without being lonely. Sometimes you need to be

strong, and just you, with no help.

Jera is the reward for stuff you've worked hard on. An A in math, or a

good crop of peas are good examples.

RUNE TUTORIAL by Aluric Sneyd

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Eihwaz is like a ladder. Be careful to put it on level ground and don't

climb to high, or stretch too far; you might fall off and get hurt.

Perthro is about hanging out, playing games with your friends. Have fun,

and don't rub it in when you win, or you might make enemies instead of

friends.

Elhaz means there could be a fight. Stay out of it if you can; if you have

to get in it, watch your back and stick with your friends.

Sowelu is when you *know* what to do. There's an inner guide that tells

you the right way to go. If you ignore it, you could get into trouble.Tiwaz is when you and your friends stick to doing the right thing and are

strong and courageous when things get difficult.

Berkano means new stuff is happening. You may have to adapt to things

you're not happy with at first. Tell mom you *do* love your baby sister.

Ehwaz is about teamwork. When people Work together, their strengths

are magnified, their weaknesses covered by watching each other's backs

Mannaz is about being human, part of the human race. You need to hang

out with other people. You are only as strong as the people you support,

and the people who support you. Tuff but tru.

Laguz means big changes; you might have to give a little to get along. Be

strong, don't be afraid. It's all for the higher good.

Inguz means you have to stop what you're doing, and remember who

you are. Your inner self knows where you're going. You'll get there if youlisten.

Dagaz is when you understand what you've been wondering about. It's

that 'aha' moment, when everything makes sense.

Othala is 'Kansas' for Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. You can search the

world over for truth, enlightenment, whatever, and find it in your own back

yard.

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THE HAMMER PROJECT:

An AFA Sponsored Program

Written by Anthony Lombardi

The Hammer Project was started by the AFA for our Folk,planned in a room just like many seen throughout the

United States in growing numbers. People are coming together in ways and numbers

never seen before in history, connecting to one another online to form Communities

to serve some purpose. These groups are fueled by mostly rookie, like-minded indi-

viduals, that are banding together across the internet to fight against something that

they see as an injustice. That's how The Hammer Project got started, but it has some-

thing working against it that many other grassroots campaigns do not. The Hammer

Project will only affect military members who chose to display Mjolnir on their

gravestones, but for something that would mean so much to the growing number of

Heathen military servicemen it has gotten both negative support from christians and

little support from Heathens. I was born, grew up, and still live in Tallahassee, Flor-

ida, the only CSA capital not captured by the North during the Civil War, and my

Grandmother served in the USN, I've been to Arlington National Cemetery and have

walked through the gravestones that mark the quiet places where the ground holds the

memory of a Soldier of Conscience. Just as I'm sure many of you were, I was

brought to every Veteran's Day Parade, and as I got older, watched more and more

Boy Scout troops pass with flags then actual Veterans. Reverence used to be the

word that most would use to describe a soldier, someone who turned their life over

completely to the Norns and fate. Now, with support diminished, they're left to being

second class citizens in a nation who largely ignores them. But how much will it

really take? The Hammer Project is at a crest, it's apart of something in America that

can change. The Hammer Project is in need of physical support. It needs people thatwill do what it takes to see that our Folk are properly remembered for what they have

done. Over the next couple of Runepebbles we will relate to you what will needed to

be done in depth for the success of The Hammer Project along with interviews of

military members and some families of fallen soldiers to understand what the Project

means to them and what they think it would mean to their family.

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My journey to our faith was both along and short one. It was long because it

learning to trust myself and my instincts(which I see as the voice of the ancestors

speaking through our blood) was not easyand took years. It was short because de-

spite my challenges getting here, theGods and Ancestors were with me the

whole time. They were whispering andproviding trail markers along the way. My

first introduction to the Vanir camethrough my job. I was hired at a company

called Vanir. The company offered thisexplanation of their name:

In Norse mythology, "Vanir" are a group of gods considered tobring health, growth, and prosperity. Vanir are respected for having

the power to keep peace. The name "Vanir" is derived from the oldNorse word vinr, which means "friend.

This peaked my curiosity as I already considered myself polytheistic but I had

not yet claimed a faith. I set out in search of the Vanir through internet searches andthe like but my research came up dry. It was not for another five years that I was intro-

duced to Asatru and was able to really connect with both the Aesir and the Vanir in adeep and personal way.

Things have since changed in the digital world. A Google search for Vanir nowreveals a great more information about them but most of what appears on the screen

are the facts about who they were such as descriptions about the war between theAesir and the Vanir and exchange of hostages . We can learn that word Vanir etymo-

logical roots does indeed relate to friend as well as to desire or to strive for andjoy and happiness We can learn some of their individual names and we can learn

what they did in the lore.

This is far better than what was available when I was looking but a practical un-derstanding of the Gods requires more than just reading facts. And that is really what

my intentions are with the RunePebble. To take our faith beyond the facts and historyand help give it breath in this time and place. At my job orientation, I was taught

(correctly or incorrectly) that the Vanir were the Gods of the farmers who stayed be-hind while the Vikings went raiding. In other words, they were the supporting back-

bone of the explorers and conquerors. My hopes are that this spirit is conveyed in thisand all editions of the RunePebble.

MEET VANIR VIC

Vicci East when she was expecting her son, Connor,

now age 7.

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Beyond this page are activities that will hopefully supplement the

written material as well as keep the younger ones entertained.

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MEET SOME OF THE VANIR

This is a picture of Njord as rep-

resented on a Norwegian stamp.

He is the god of seafaring, wind,

fishing, wealth, and crop fertility.

This is a representation of Nerthus. She

is an Earth Goddess and as described in

Germania, we see her here being pulled

through fields to offer her blessings for a

plentiful harvest.

From the union of earth and sea, sprang the twins Frey

and Freyja. Freyja Lady is the goddess of love and

beauty and magic. She is also a fierce warrior and

claims half of the battle dead. She has a special neck-

lace made of Amber. Frey Lord is a god of weather

and fertility. He also has dominion over the light elves.

He is married to Gerd and rides a boar.

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VANIR WORD SEARCH

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

Across Down

1 Vanic Earth Goddess 1 Vanic God of the Sea

2 Freyr's Wife 2 This Gods name means "Lord"

3 This Goddess' name means "Lady" 3Bringisman (Freyja's necklace) is made ofthis

4 The animal Frey rides into battle

An answer key can be found on page 14.

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A Kids Eye View (pg 4)

Have you attended any blots or have any other stories to tell? Lets hear it!!! Write about

the experience or draw us a picture! We will publish it here!

Rune Tutorial (pg 5 and 6)

When you read through the rune descriptions did any speak to you more than the oth-

ers? Did any of them make more sense to you or relate to something you have been think-

ing about? If so try write that Rune on a piece of paper and putting it somewhere that you

will see it often. When you do see it reflect on it for a moment and then continue along

your way. After a week pick a new Rune to focus on. Work your way like this through the

runes.

Vanic Meditation Exercise

Sit quietly and really think about what you want to be when yougrow up. Look at both your career and character. Write a story or

draw a picture of yourself happy as the person you want to be and

place it on your family altar in honor of the Vanir.

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TheHulsey Family Garden

Mighty Freyr is known in the lore as the Lord of the Light Elves. Pictured

above are some garden elves. They have been tasked by Freyr himself to at-

tend to some very important business. What do you think it could be? Look at

the picture and think about Freyr and come up with a story that explains just

why these little elves are so hard at work and what they are doing exactly. We

would love to hear your story!

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PENPAL PROGRAM

Make friends!

Improve writing and reading skills!

Trade stories and jokes! Build a stronger community!

Join the Pen Pal Program (all age levels and skills encouraged!)

Email or call me if you are interested in participating!

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1 N E R T H U S

2 J

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2 G E R D

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4 B O A R

Crossword Key

*** The Penpal program is well underway. We have four official participants paired up and happily moving

along in establishing a foundation of friendships! We also had an inquiry as to whether or not this program

open to adults. As I try to write for everyone, I dont see why it cant be. I will however only pair adults wit

adults. So moms and dads and any AFA members who are looking for a Pen Pal with someone in our faith

drop me your contact info and Ill pair you up as people show interest.

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Asatru Folk Assembly

PO Box 445

Nevada City, CA 95959

http://www.runestone.org/

Vanir Vic can be reached with Submissions, Questions

or Comments as follows

Phone: 831-920-1914

E-mail: vanirvic@gmail.com

This publication is produced and edited by Victoria East aka Vanir Vic

in service to the Gods, The Ancestors and the Folk and is brought to you by the

Asatru Folk Assembly

CONTRIBUTE!!! YOUR VOICE IS IMPORTANT!!!